Perfect Pitch

JOHANNESBURG -- Ellis Park Stadium was really fun and there was so much energy in there. There was a VISA tent were faces were painted for free, and an MTN stage that was giving away mini World Cup spirit kits with face paint, a pack of condoms, and a press-on tattoo, and they exclusively sold Budweiser beer. In America, we would find it odd for a spirit kit to have condoms in it, but they were stocked in about every bathroom in South Africa. They are very aware of the AIDS problem here and are actively trying to prevent the disease from spreading.

Their food concessions were very similar to those at a U.S. stadium, but the terminology -- Biltong (beef jerky) Mash (mashed potatoes), Chips (fries), and Crisps (chips) -- was a little confusing. Another thing that tricked me was their "chili hot dog" which I assumed was a chili dog, but of course it wasn't. I sent it back twice thinking they kept giving me a regular hot dog. Finally, I just let it go and took the regular hot dog. I was wondering whether it was the tomato sauce (ketchup) or mustard that was making it so spicy, but I let that go as well. Many days later I was informed that they put chili spices in the hot dog - hence the name chili hot dog.

-- CLAIRE FUSTER